ST. MARY'S, MD -- The Old Dominion women's sailing team continues to improve in the spring season with another 8th place finish among thirteen of the best sailing teams in the eastern conferences. The B division boat skippered by Katrina Williams and crewed by freshman Jane Bleakney finished in fourth place while finishing out of the top ten only once in 13 races. The A division boat was in the top ten in 9 of the 13 races. Cara DiSanti skippered with Alissa Ayres and Elyssa Albert as her crew.

Williams has been a staple as skipper in the B division boat this season. It was Bleakney's first event as crew with Williams and the two combined for a fourth place effort just seven points behind Charleston for third. The first year sailor from Oregon was a track and field athlete in high school.

In the A division boat, senior Cara DiSanti combined with experienced crew members Ayres and Albert for a 10th place effort. They raced to a fourth place finish in one heat.

Conditions:

SAT:
20 knots and more from the frigid Northwest. 8A/6B run in the cold and windy conditions. Boats docked at 4:40pm. Harvard finally stopped their drive south to the event for safety reasons Friday night near Philly and missed the 1st two A races, but rallied to win the last races in each division of the day. Coaches, parents, friends and regatta volunteers gathered fireside for oysters and chili at the Werblow homestead Sat evening.

SUN:
More of the same, but windier at times. All Gold Cup courses throughout the weekend. Lots of positive comments from coaches about the high quality of the racing, particularly at the tail end of the pack in the very challenging conditions. Close exciting racing among the top four teams. Racing completed by 2:45pm.